Wednesday, November 22, 2006

'Tis The Season For This Problem

Scenario:

Your office has just scheduled a Christmas party on a Friday in December at a nearby upscale non-kosher restaurant during working hours and it is assumed all will attend. A collection of funds is taken up beforehand to cover the cost of the meal as well as a going-away present for a departing employee.

Question:

What do you do?

a. Go and wear a baseball cap over your yarmulke.

b. Go with your yarmulke on.

c. Tell your co-workers that you are uncomfortable attending, but contribute your share.

I think that to go "looking Jewish" might be a halachic issue of Ma'aris Ayin. But in any case if they know you're Jewish and it's a decent workplace, they shouldn't be too offended. It would definitely be good derech eretz to chip in :-). Everyone is right that low-key is surely the best way to "excuse yourself" :-) Nice to see you back